Kama’aina Come Home Expo Slated for August

Kama’aina Come Home flyer

By Wendy Osher

A job fair and expo is planned next month to help former Hawaii residents and mainland college students interested in returning to the islands.

The Kama’aina Come Home Expo takes place on Friday, August 3, and will feature employment opportunities in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) career fields.

The event is hosed by the Maui Economic Development Board’s Women in Technology program, and will run from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at MEDB’s Ke Alahele Center in Kihei.

Event organizers say the Expo is expected to attract kama’aina who are home for the summer as well as those who are looking to return home.

“The steady growth of large mainland firms, as well as expanding local businesses in Maui County has created a strong demand for kama’aina seeking entry level and experienced positions,” said Mapu Quitazol, WIT Project Manager.  “Our Kama’aina Come Home event is helping to bring home local talent to fill in-demand jobs,” she said.

The Kama’aina Come Home job placement program was launched in 2006 as a collaborative effort between MEDB’s Women in Technology program and Kama’aina Careers, a Hawaii job referral company based on the West Coast of the US mainland.

The program connects kama’aina jobseekers to Maui-based employers who are looking for Hawaii born talent.

The event is similar to MEDB’s annual Holiday Career Fair, but specifically targets residents returning home in the summer.  The Kama’aina Come Home Expo also places a greater focus on learning more about participating tech companies.

Those that are interested can pre-register and upload their resume at http://www.hightechmaui.com/kchexpo/registration1.cfm.  Pre-registered participants will be placed in the KCH database, and their resume will remain on file for three years for reference by tech company partners.

Kama’aina Careers will host a Resume Writing workshop in MEDB’s Donald G. Malcolm Center, from 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 2, for those that need help writing their resumes. Participants are welcome to bring their own laptop. Space is limited, and interested parties should register for the workshop by emailing [email protected].